The Green Bay Packers are releasing cornerback Sam Shields, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday.
The seven-year pro had one year remaining on his contract, signed in 2014.
Shields, 29, suffered a concussion in Week 1. Coach Mike McCarthy said in his postseason news conference last month that Shields still had not cleared concussion protocol.
Despite suffering a fourth concussion in the NFL -- two in a nine-month span -- Shields said in January that he still hopes to play.
"I'm thinking it's not over. I've still got more (football) in me," Shields said, via the Wisconsin State Journal. "I understand why you ask (why I'd continue to play). I don't know. I just love the game, man, and I feel that I can get back out there and play."
If Shields decides to try continuing his career, he would have to clear concussion protocol during a physical with whatever team takes a gamble on the corner.
A Pro Bowler in 2014, Shields' injury at the start of this season discombobulated the Packers' secondary, leading to young players entering the lineup and defensive backs playing out of position. With Shields gone for good, general manager Ted Thompson will need to bolster the unit in 2017.
No mainly on the risk factor. Muscles and what not can heal, but in a CTE world these days, who's to say one more hit won't make him go into retirement?..of course bad luck like that could happen to anyone at any time, but IMO concussions can be a real quick slope to gamble with, and are a higher risk factor in relation to a knee thing like McPhee or what have you....
aren't you the one who goes against Pace for drafting an injured Player in White who injured after the draft?
I don't know how you can really compare the two. I'm not saying sign Shields to a long term contract. Something of a 1 year vet min deal is what I have in mind. To prove that he can still play while also not costing us big.